From the Marina OfficeHard to believe we're about halfway through summer, especially with so many school districts starting session at the end of July or mid-August this year.

Perhaps that is a partial reason for the less hectic pace of business on the island this year; crime also seems to be significantly down this summer compared to last.

The iWatchMyBay program instituted by the Harbor Police just over a year ago has made a dramatic difference in the community's awareness and reporting of suspicious activities along the waterfront, and we are extremely grateful for the on-going collaboration with the HP.

Boat, Bed and Breakfast
Business Takes Off!The Boat, Bed and Breakfast business is booming, with the fleet up to eight boats now. Multiple times each week we have inquiries re: sub-leasing of boats/slips, and we are constantly trying to spread the word that a Port of San Diego charter license is needed (among other requirements) in order to utilize your boat as an income - generating venture.

We also are inundated with requests for live-aboard slips, but do not have any availability at this time (with the exception of D-dock). The marina is at 93% capacity, with most of our availability for boats 58' and over. Once the pre- Baja Ha Ha guests arrive later this month, slips may be very difficult to find throughout America's Cup Harbor.

It sure is wonderful to live and work in America's Finest City! Enjoy this month's newsletter and we'll see you on the docks!

The Staff at Shelter Cove Marinainfo@sheltercovemarinaTips About Boating at NightProbably the best tip about recreational boating at night is don't, unless you have to.

But most boaters occasionally find themselves out after dark for one reason or another, so it's wise to be prepared for that eventuality both mentally and physically.

Here's a few tips from the experts on the subject:

Slow Down: O.K. - We don't get many points for this obvious tip, but it had to be mentioned.

Turn off or dim any on-board lights that you can: This includes everything from your courtesy lights to your electronics. Any on-board light can reduce your ability to see what's ahead.

Assign someone to be a lookout who isn't at the helm: The person who's driving the boat has additional duties such as monitoring gauges, throttles, and electronics in addition to looking ahead, so there should always be someone else assigned to be looking ahead.

Silence is golden: Have any on-board guests who want to discuss the state of world politics go below or hold their thoughts until you get back to the marina. Silence on the bridge at night is a must.

Some advisable night-related items to have on board: In addition to your standard emergency flares or signalling devices, have a supply of glow sticks and flashlights handy. If you're in rough weather after dark, a glow stick in the hands of a person who has accidentally fallen overboard can be more easily spotted. If night time cruising is a regular occasion, visit your electronics store and consider purchasing one of the new affordable night-vision goggles and cameras available.

Leave your spotlight and headlights turned off: These lights will let you see clearly a few feet beyond the bow, but they will make your overall night vision useless. Your spotlight should only be used sparingly to locate specific things you are trying to find, and your headlights should be used only for docking.

Your Eyes at Odds With Your Electronics? If your eyes are telling you that your chart plotter is wrong, it's probably your eyes that are fooling you. In this situation, you should dramatically slow down or stop until you find out who's right.

If your eyes are at odds with what your electronics are telling you at night, it's almost always your electronics that are right.

Multiple lights on the horizon make it difficult to figure out what's where - can you pick out the lighthouse, or the markers? When in doubt, trust your electronics.From the Galley - "Egg-Squisite" Deviled Eggs for Your Next Dock Party!- By Monica GiobbiDeviled eggs, or eggs mimosa, are a common dish in France and the United States. In Germany they call them "Russian Eggs", but they actually originated in Rome. The term "deviled" dates back to the 19th century referring to the use of hot spices in cooking.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make them, and they are always a big hit at dock parties.

Hard boil the eggs, then peel and slice them in half (lengthwise, of course). Gently pop out the yolks, and mix thoroughly in a bowl with the mayonnaise until creamy smooth. Add pinches of salt to taste (you can use the tried and true "finger test" for this) making sure you don't over salt.

Add curry powder and mix in thoroughly. Fill the egg halves with mixture - sprinkle a dash of paprika for garnish, and serve.

Serves 12, humm....maybe?Bon Appetito!

Monica is co-owner of BlueSkyNews.com, a professional meeting planner, and an avid cook with years of experience entertaining on board using the limited space of the galley. If you have a favorite boating recipe to share or ideas for future articles, send an e-mail to monica@blueskynews.com.Silver Gate Yacht Club Hosts 27th Annual Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge - August 28 - 30, 2015.The 2015 Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge will be angling for a good cause in San Diego with the annual 3-day tuna fishing tournament event benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego again this year.

The largest tuna-fishing tournament in the continental U.S. has raised over $3 million in the past 26 years to grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions in our community.

Anglers will compete for awards such as multi-day fishing trips to Alaska and Mexico, fishing gear, boat equipment, and much more! Anglers can register for the fishing tournament online at www.tunachallenge.org

The awards will be presented at the event's culmination banquet held by long-time host Silver Gate Yacht Club, on Sunday, August 30 from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. on Shelter Island.

The public is invited to attend and admission to Sunday's event is free; banquet lunch is just $15. Over 700 guests are expected to attend the celebration banquet, which will include raffles, live and silent auctions, live entertainment, and Wish Kid testimonials. At the end of the day, one lucky winner will drive off in a brand new 2015 Mazda!Mexico Getting More Serious About Cracking Down on Boaters Without Proper Documents- By Bob SimonsBoaters should be aware that Mexico's federal government is stepping up inspection of boaters and boats cruising and/or fishing in its territorial waters - checking for passports, tourist permits, fishing permits, and other documents.

Up until now, many violators have just been issued warnings and told to turn around, but now violations could result in your boat being towed to Ensenada for an administrative process, and immediate deportation of the crew and passengers.

On the positive side of things though, Mexico's government has made it easier to comply with their laws via their www.sportfishinginmexico.com website, and the use of electronic filing for Temporary Import Permits (TIP) and crew lists.

Be sure to visit this site and get the proper documents you need before you go. Forewarned is forearmed!

Bob Simons has been in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for thirty years and owns a sailboat as well as a powerboat. He teaches classes in Boating Safety & Seamanship as well as Basic and Advanced Coastal Navigation. Bob is also the co-owner of Seabreeze Books and Charts

Swimming in Open WaterOpen water swimming is very different from swimming in a pool or on the shore. Strong currents can swiftly carry the strongest swimmer away from where he/she wants to be; waves and undertows can sap your energy; and cold waters can dangerously lower your body temperature.

We all know It's wonderful on a perfect day to jump over the side for a dip, but here's some useful tips from the experts on swimming in open water:

Wear a lifejacket: Yes, it's not stylish and maybe uncomfortable, but it's not going to do you any good if you're in trouble and your life jacket is back on the boat. According to the Red Cross, 90% of young male swimming deaths could be prevented by wearing life jackets.

Be sure you can get back on the boat: It's hard to believe, but many open water drownings occur because swimmers couldn't get back up on the boat. If your boat doesn't have either a person left on board to assist or a deployed ladder, many people do not have the physical strength to get back on board.

Never swim alone in open water: Always swim with a friend.

Be aware of the weather: Wind and waves can come up suddenly, posing a major threat for swimmers and boaters far from sheltered waters.

Distance is deceiving: It may look like it's just a few feet back to the boat, but it is probably farther than it looks. Stay close to the boat.

Leave the Mai-Tai until you're on terra-firma: Alcohol and swimming don't mix.

A Booklet Every Recreational Boater Should Have
The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Organization has an illustrated colorful booklet in PDF form entitled "Aids to Navigation" that every recreational boater will enjoy and find educational for the whole family.

The free booklet contains information similar to that which drivers get from street signs, stop signals, road barriers, detours, and traffic lights.

This booklet gives you the basic information you need about the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (USATONS). It helps you recognize, understand, and navigate by the colors, shapes, numbers, and lights you will encounter on the water. It will also give you the basic tools you need to read a nautical chart.

The booklet also contains information on safety, the proper way to interact with other vessels; tips on boating at night; and how to handle special situations you might encounter like bridges and locks.

The United States Coast Guard Boating Safety Division encourages all recreational boaters review this booklet, and keep it onboard your as a quick reference guide. "Your understanding of the markers you see on the water will help ensure that you, your family, and your friends have fun  and safe  boating trips."

A Journal of Information Every Boater Should Have Before Sailing Across the Horizon- By Richard BenscoterFor many boaters, including myself, the anticipation of sailing across the horizon to new adventures is always on our minds. Daydreaming about it is fine, but doing it requires considerable planning, and for all of us, it also involves developing new skills if we want to be safe and self sufficient out there on the ocean.

When we started down the road to our professional careers on land, most of us had no idea of all the skill sets it would require to be proficient in our life's work, but now we are there and invoking these skills every day without a second thought.

Just as with our careers on land, those sailing adventures that beckon us to sail across the horizon demand that we develop new skills that will be required to reach your destination besides just sailing the boat. We almost have to become jacks of all trades with skills that allow us to deal with engine issues, on-board systems, electrical maintenance, first aid, emergency situations, and survival procedures.

But something that's critical but simple to do that a lot of us don't think about, is that when something goes wrong at sea, the last thing you want to do is have to go crawling about in the bilges or in compartments to find serial numbers or modification numbers on a part that needs to be replaced.

So here's some good advice - While you're at the dock in a calm and steady environment, take the time to locate the data plate of all the installed equipment on your boat, and record the information from each plate on each component in a notebook that you keep on board.

Capture as much information as you can from these plates on your engines, transmissions, turbo chargers, fuel filter assemblies, water maker, low and high pressure pumps, battery chargers, water heater, air conditioning units, cooling water pumps, fresh water pumps, chart plotters, radar etc.

Because many of your boat's systems are probably of a model that has been in service for years, they may have undergone several changes and updates. These changes are represented by prefixes or trailing dash numbers on the main part number are critical when seeking a replacement part or service instructions.

Once you have compiled this list, give yourself a pat on the back.

Then, go the next step and get the owner's manuals, and if possible, get the overhaul and service manual and parts manual for your on-board systems. Most of these are available from the manufacturer's web sites in electronic PDF form that you can store on a USB thumb drives or a PC..

Another place to look for manuals is L-36.com where over 700 manuals are on line. This makes the information you need available anytime anywhere.

For double insurance, when you go cruising, leave a duplicate of your compiled information with a friend that can act as agent if we could not get the needed parts on a distant shore.

Remember preparing for the adventure is an adventure unto itself as you learn new skills and knowledge that will make you that self-sufficient mariner seeking out adventures and new experiences.

See you on the water.

Editor's Note: Richard Benscoter is a long time avid sailor.

He and his wife Debbie are both avid sailors and members of the Silver Gate Yacht Club and owner of the Mariners Woodshop.

This e-mail newsletter is produced on behalf of Shelter Cove Marina by BlueSkyNews.com
To be removed from distribution, please reply to this e-mail with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.